Engagement

I'll admit, if someone told me I would have found myself engaged by 22, I'd have told them they were crazy. Not till at least my late twenties, my (not-so-much) younger self would have said. I wanted to have my career, my travel, my own apartment, and a Master's before I tied the knot with someone. No need to have some guy distract me, particularly because they never stay. It didn't help that I was too Catholic, too feminist, too much "one of the boys" to ever be seen as more than just a pal.

Well, you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans. After I returned from Kenya, I started chatting with a friend of mine from our campus ministry. We didn't talk that much previously but, whenever we did, we always had a lot to talk about. This time, we ended up talking so much that coffee turned to dinner which turned into drinks and I knew I needed to keep an open heart. Soon, one thing led to another and we were together.

Throughout our courtship, it amazed me how comfortable I was with the idea of a life together. As we came to know each other, we realized that, aside from an obvious physical attraction, we had similar goals, worldviews, a strong spiritual base, and personalities that worked well together. I came to realize that marriage does not mean putting my dreams aside, rather, I'd have someone who could experience them with me (as I experience his). Meeting and getting to know each other's families only confirmed our growing desires to be together. Finally, working through obstacles we've faced made me realize that I'm ready to do this. So, when he asked me in Dupont Circle if I was willing to spend my life with him, I gave an irrevocable yes.

The only major issue standing in our way is stable income. He's a student and I'm completing a year of volunteer service in the DC area. We are seeking steady employment for next year, after which we'll start the necessary prep course Catholics have to undertake.

So, in a tribute to my muse, The Boss himself, we're ready to take that long walk.

Welcome!

How do two young urbanites maintain their faith while living in the modern era?

This is a question my companion (now fiance) and I face on a daily basis. Having grown up in the NYC area (him actually in Manhattan), we both became Catholic in our adolescent/young adult years and ended up going to school in the DC area. While there are many questions on both of our ends, we strive every day to be better people and to do good. Unfortunately, many in our society consider people of faith to be irrational at best and violent at worst. Consequently, some of our more conservative brethren may criticize a lifestyle that prioritizes higher education, a global perspective, and a good career as well as urban life. Our blog will discuss how we maintain the balance, as well as our thoughts on various issues. We may also include the more mundane aspects of our life, just to prove we are neither radical socialists or reactionary fanatics.

We are young, urban Catholics who are seeking to make our world better, as well as to build a life for ourselves and our future family. We welcome different viewpoints, though we do ask that any comments be respectful. We hope you enjoy the show!